News
Family Lauds Dickson Over Azazi’s Burial
Bayelsa State governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has been commended for giving Late General Andrew Owoye Azazi a hero’s burial.
First daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Akpo-olade Madeline Okoro, made the commendation while paying tribute to her late father at the service of songs in honour of General Azazi in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.
Describing her father as a courageous, selfless, intelligent and caring man who impacted positively on so many lives during his lifetime, Mrs. Okoro particularly lauded President Goodluck Jonathan and all those who stood by the family in their moment of grief.
She said General Azazi was a man who could stand before his contemporaries and speak the truth regardless of the consequences.
According to Mrs. Okoro, she received the news of her father’s death while overseas and expressed optimism that the legacies her father left behind would inspire them to greater heights.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), said the demise of General Azazi was an overwhelming loss to the state and Nigeria as a whole and prayed against the recurrence of such a tragic incident in the state.
Former Governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, eulogized General Azazi, as a man who lived a life of service to humanity, noting that his demise is an indication that all mortals are on a journey on earth, which will come to an end one day.
Describing the deceased as a treasured friend, Chief Alamieyeseigha recalled when he first met the late Four-Star General in 1973 at the Nigerian Defence Academy and how their meeting made him (Alamieyeseigha) a better cadet at Academy.
Also paying glowing tributes, General Bob Ake, the only surviving General of the three from Peretorugbene community, said the former National Security Adviser was an Icon and a source of pride not only to the Ijaw nation and Nigeria but to the entire African region.
Speaking, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Kaduna State, Elder Abokie Galadima, described the death of former Governor Patrick Yakowa and Azazi as an act of God.
He said that the testimonies about both personalities were a pointer to the fact that they lived worthy lifestyles, stressing the need to sustain the channels of communication between the two states established by the duo.
In his homily, Very Reverend Father, Joseph Opelema, emphasized the need for mankind to exhibit kindness at all times as death can come calling anytime.
He enjoined the family and people of the state to take solace in the fact that Azazi lived a fulfilled life and left behind worthy legacies.
Dignitaries at the service included, President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Dame Patience, Governor Seriake Dickson and wife, Rachael, Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Rivers and Delta states, National Assembly members and other top government officials.
News
Okonjo-Iweala Celebrates Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful Women Recognition
World Trade Organisation Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has celebrated her inclusion on Forbes’ 100 World’s Most Powerful Women list for 2025, marking her eighth appearance on the prestigious ranking.
In a post via her verified X (formerly Twitter) handle yesterday, Okonjo-Iweala expressed her gratitude and reflected on the responsibility that comes with influence.
“Nice to make (for the eighth time) the @Forbes List of the 100 most powerful women of the world 2025 and to be on the cover of the magazine. With power comes responsibility! We are doing our best to fight for and reform the rules-based multilateral trading system, which the world needs to avoid a chaotic approach to world trade that would hurt the smallest and the least powerful countries,” she wrote.
She also congratulated her fellow African women on the list, including Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Prime Minister, Suminwa Judith, CEO of Bidvest, Mpumi Madisa, CEO of EbonyLife Group, Mo Abudu, and Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Mottley.
The annual Forbes list recognises women who hold significant influence in business, politics, culture, and global leadership.
Okonjo-Iweala, ranked 92nd, is the first woman and first African to serve as WTO Director-General, a position she assumed in March 2021.
Forbes described her as “an economist and international development professional” with over 30 years of experience across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
She previously served two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006.
The WTO boss also chaired the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has immunised more than 760 million children globally.
Okonjo-Iweala holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is recognised for her belief in the power of trade to lift developing countries out of poverty and promote sustainable development.
News
Association Seeks Government Intervention in Desilting of Canal
The Rumuokania 2 New layout Landlords Association in the Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State is seeking the intervention of the Rivers State Government in the desilting of the canal which transverses several communities including Mgbaraja,Ogbogoro,Egbule,Elioparanwo,Ozuoba and other communities in the area.
The Association which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline internal roads.
The landlords said the canal impede the free flow of water from the affected communities thereby causing severe flooding whenever it rains in the area.The Association also commended the governor for the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of road across the state, adding, the gesture has not only rekindled hope of Rivers people for a better tomorrow,but has bought prosperity across communities in the state.According to a Press release made available to news men during the briefing,”We are gathered here today to express immense appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State,Sir Fubara, GSSRS,for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline Internal roads.“We also wish to use this medium to request the desilting of the Canal transversing the area and the construction of adjoining roads to the area.“We acknowledge with profound gratitude the transformative governance going on in Rivers State under the purposely and impactful leadership of Governor Fubara.“The visible impact of his administration across all sectors, particularly the rehabilitation and construction of new roads,has rekindled hope among the people and brought prosperity to our communities”The Association said.The landlords particularly praised the Governor for the successful completion of the Rumuoke Road from Okilton junction off Ada George Road to Road 9-2nd & 3rd Avenue, Road 10-2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, and Pipeline Road upto the canal, expertly executed by Monier Construction Company (MCC).They noted that,prior to the intervention of the Governor,the road was in an extremely deplorable state, impassable, and prone to flash floods whenever it rains.“Most houses and business premises were often flooded as people could hardly leave or access the area,while economic activities were completely paralyzed.“The newly constructed internal roads have completely eased traffic in the area, boosted economic activities, and improved the quality of life of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”The release which was jointly signed by pastor Joel Gbandi, chairman of The Association and Lucky Ashley Atiegoba secretary,on behalf of the Landlords also expressed gratitude to the Governor for the construction of all internal roads in the area..It however drew the , attention of the Governor to an emerging issue which they said poses threat to the durability of this critical road infrastructure.According to the landlords,”at the terminus of the newly constructed pipeline road, the adjoining canal is severely blocked, impeding the free flow of water .“The canal serves as a vital waterway, traversing several communities, including Rumuokania, Mgbraja, Ogbogoro, Egbelu, Elioparanwo, Mini-Orlu, Rumue-vorlu, Rumuokwachi, Ozuoba, Iwofe, Rumuolumeni, Rumuepirikom, and Mini-kete, among other communities.“This obstruction has caused water to back up onto the surface of the newly constructed road, leading to accelerated erosion and hazardous conditions for surrounding buildings, motorists, and pedestrians alike within RumuokaniaRumuoke communities.“It is against this backdrop that we respectfully request the kind intervention of our dear Governor in this regard:” We humbly request the desilting of the canal to restore proper drainage and prevent water overflowonto the newly constructed internal roads and flooding within the communities.“. We also request the construction of adjoining roads to the area to provide alternative pathways and improve overall accessibility in the area.“Addressing these germane concerns will not only safeguard the investment of the state government in road infrastructure in the area but will also mitigate flooding, enhance safety, and further elevate the living standards of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”the landlords said.
News
Rivers Judges Begin Christmas Vacation Dec 23
Judges of the High Courts of Rivers State will proceed on this year’s Christmas and New Year vacations on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar, State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, on behalf of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Chibuzor Amadi, and made available to newsmen over the weekend.
The statement stated that judges will commence the yuletide vacation from Tuesday, 23rd of December 2025, and resume on Monday, January 12, 2026.
According to the statement, the directive is in compliance with the provision of Order 49 Rule 4(C) of the High Court of Rivers State Civil Procedure Rule, 2023.
The statement added that during the period of the vacation, all judicial divisions of the High Court of the State shall remain closed, while a vacation judge shall be designated to entertain only urgent applications and matters filed during the vacation.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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